Population growth from migration is continuing to decline but remained above 60,000 in the year to October

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Population growth from migration hit its lowest annual level since 2015 but remains above 60,000 a year, according to Statistics NZ.

There was a net gain of 61,751 people from migration (long term arrivals minus long term departures) in the 12 months to October.

That was the lowest it has been in any 12 month period since September 2015, and a 12.7% decline compared to the 12 months to October last year.

That was caused by a 2.7% decline in the number of people arriving in this country long term and and an 8.9% increase in the number of people leaving long term.

In the year to October there were substantial falls compared to the previous 12 months in the number of people arriving long term from China -10.7%, the UK -7.7%, Australia -4.6% Germany -8.3%, France -4.4% and the Philippines -3.9% , but increases in arrivals from Taiwan +4.4%, Korea +4.7%, South Africa 5.5% and Hong Kong 3.6%.

There were more substantial increases in people leaving the country long term, with those heading for China up 37.9%, while long term departures for all Asian countries were up 18.8% overall.

Departures for Europe were up 9.1% overall and departures for the Americas were up 9.6%.

Overall there was a net loss of 3144 New Zealand citizens in the 12 months to October, which is the highest it has for that period since 2015.

There was a net gain of 64,895 non-New Zealand citizens during the same period which was the lowest it has been for that period since 2015.

When analysed by visa type, the biggest change was in people arriving to live here on residency visas, which were down 18.9% in the 12 months to October compared to the previous 12 months.

The biggest declines in residency visas were from the Philippines -46.9%, UK -23.8%, India -23.3% and China -21.1%.

Student visa arrivals were down were down 3.1% overall and work visas arrivals were up 1.8%. overall.

Net long term migration

Submitted by David Chaston on Tue, 05/01/2016 – 11:53

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